datethewordtest

Tag: Romans

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 21 (12/21) is Romans 12:21

    “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:21
    A DIFFERENT RESPONSE TO EVIL

    As we encounter evil that is directed at us the Apostle Paul gives us two commands for responding and those 2 commands will bring about the most unusual of responses. First is the command to NOT BE OVERCOME BY EVIL.  The second is to OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD.  Let’s look closely at both because both are going to be needed. 

    The verse begins with the strongest of admonishments to not allow EVIL to get the best of us. No matter what evil is done to us we do not let it DEFEAT US. Proverbs 24:10 “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.”  Romans 8:37 tells us, “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” 

    As we do not let evil drag us down to defeat we also do not let evil DRAG US DOWN to its level.  Looking back at Romans 12:17 we are reminded that we are not, ABSOLUTELY NOT, to repay evil with evil.  As the old saying goes, two WRONGS do not make a right. While wrong is being done we must continue to do RIGHT.  For the believer to do evil betrays our testimony and gives evil a win.  

    So, number 1, we will not be overcome by evil.  We will not be defeated by it nor drawn down to its level. 

    The second command is to TAKE POSITIVE ACTION and do GOOD to those who are doing evil TO YOU and others.  One OVERCOMES (defeats, wins) against evil by DOING GOOD.  It is helping the very person who is hurting you.  It is praying for the very ones that are persecuting you.  It is blessing the very one that is cursing you.  It is giving a cup of cold water and a hot meal to the one who would like to starve you to death.  It is being nice to the one who is mean.  

    Are you getting the picture?  You overcome evil by DOING GOOD!!  

    And yes, I know what has been written is HARD.  It is easy to give up when evil is done to you.  It is easy to give in to doing evil when evil has been done to you.  And it surely is hard to be nice to a mean person.   Yet this is what we are called to do.  We are called to be different in our response to evil by being OVERCOMERS OF EVIL, not overcome by evil. 

    Verse to DATE the Word on December 21 (12/21) is Romans 12:21. It says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

    In a world filled with evil be different and do good to those doing evil.

    Continue Strong as an OVERCOMER of EVIL! 
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 18 (12/18) is Romans 12:18

    “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” – Romans 12:18
    PURSUE KEEPING THE PEACE WITH OTHERS

    Are you a peacemaker or a peace breaker?  Do you look to resolve conflicts in a peaceful way, or are you more prone to stir the proverbial pot that makes things worse rather than better?   As the Apostle Paul teaches the essential duties of the Christian, he calls for believers to PURSUE as much as it is possible to KEEP the PEACE with others.  To those who disagree with us, we are to do our best to KEEP THE PEACE.  

    With the call for us to be actively pursuing peacemaking with other people, we might ask how do we do this?  Let me give a few thoughts. 

    First, you can disagree agreeably.  You can debate over what is best without blowing the proverbial gasket.  The key is to always treat the other person with respect.  And remember you can always allow someone to be wrong.  
    Second, not every argument has to be won.  You don’t have to agree to argue every argument presented to you.  It has been said that we need to decide what hill we want to die on and in the big picture of life, there are not that many.  Now there are some but in reality, there aren’t that many.  
    Third, resolve to solve, not dissolve.  Value the person over the problem.
    Fourth, (from John Maxwell) practice the 101% rule.  Find the 1% you do agree on and give that 100%.  
    Fifth, (from Steven Covey) Seek first to understand before seeking to be understood and go for the WIN WIN!  It is amazing how disagreements can be resolved when we listen to what the other person is saying. 
    Sixth, (from Jesus) turn the other cheek and go the extra mile.

    These are but a few suggestions on how you can work to live peaceably.  I am sure you can add to the list and I hope you do.  The bottom line is we have from Romans 12:18 the instructions to do as much as possible to live peaceably.

    Verse to DATE the Word on December 18 (12/18) is Romans 12:18. It says, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

    Continue Strong as a PEACEMAKER.
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 14 (12/14) is Romans 12:14

    “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” – Romans 12:14
    RESPONDING DIFFERENTLY to MISTREATMENT

    Our Christianity affects all of our relationships. It affects our relationship with God.  It affects our relationship with other believers.  It affects our relationship with the people who are lost. And it affects our relationship with those who viciously attack us, persecuting us.  The Apostle Paul teaches here in Romans 12:14 what Jesus had earlier taught when it came to responding to those who were mean and hating and persecuting. In Matthew 5:44 Jesus said, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”  

    Jesus’ teaching and now Paul’s teaching is in stark contrast to the world around them and what the world says today.  Our response to those who hurt us is to hurt them back.  

    As we consider those who oppose and yes persecute, we are to pray for them and desire God’s greatest blessings on them.  And you know what the greatest blessing would be?  The greatest blessing would be that they would be saved.

    Take a moment to consider that your opponent, your enemy today is a “SAUL” and tomorrow just might be a “PAUL” With your prayers they could go from being a persecutor of Christ to proclaiming Christ.  

    So, BLESS THOSE WHO PERSECUTE!! And definitely do not stoop to their level of cursing them!

    The verse to DATE the Word on December 14 (12/14) is Romans 12:14. It says, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”

    Continue Strong responding differently,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD!

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 12 (12/12) is Romans 12:12

    “Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation,
    continuing steadfastly in prayer.” – Romans 12:12
    Three Essentials to the SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN LIFE

    Starting in Romans 12 the Apostle Paul moves from doctrinal teaching to practical teaching for living out the Christian life. As one lives a transformed life one now sees and lives life differently in their relationship to God and to OTHERS. The Christian’s view of others will have them demonstrating genuine love to them (v9) and honoring others above and better than themselves. (v.10) The believer moves from living for themselves where their purpose in life is seeking to fulfill selfish desires to now seeking to serve the Lord and others and serving the Lord and others with intense enthusiasm. (v11) To help one serve the Lord, the Apostle Paul now gives three actions to take. 

    He first calls on the believers to have a joyful attitude as one always has hope when one is serving the Lord as the Lord is always with them. (A great promise from the Lord is He will never leave us nor forsake us.)  There is the hope that His Word never returns void!  There is the hope that as we share Christ there will be a breakthrough.  And ultimately, we rejoice in hope because our salvation concludes with us in heaven so the best is yet to come!  What a HOPE we have in Jesus!  

    Now, being very realistic, the Apostle Paul tells the believers they will need to be patient in tribulations.  This means they will need to endure and persevere as they face tribulations. Jesus told his disciples that in this world they would have tribulation but be of good cheer as He had overcome the world. John 16:33. I trust no one told you that becoming a Christian means you will have no more problems and no more trouble.  If they did you were told something that just is not true.  Getting saved does not mean we do not have any more trials, troubles, or tribulations. It does mean though that we have someone to help us get through the tribulation, helping us to ENDURE.  I truly believe one of the great marks of the Christian is endurance or perseverance. 

    To help the believer be patient as they face tribulation the Apostle Paul teaches us to CONTINUE STEADFASTLY IN PRAYER. One will only persevere in life by handling life with continuous prayer!!   This, friends, cannot be just a quick morning prayer. It needs to be persevering, continual prayer. The harder life gets the harder (if you will) one must pray!!  The idea of “continue steadfastly” is that of continuing to do something with intense effort. The harder life gets the harder one must pray!! 

    So, we have three actions of the transformed life. There is a JOYFUL attitude because of the HOPE we have.  Never QUITTING because we are PATIENT, and always PRAYING!  Do these actions describe your life?

    The verse to DATE the Word on December 12 (12/12) is Romans 12:12. It says, “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;”

    “In hope, rejoicing; in tribulation, enduring; in prayer, persevering.”

    Continue Strong rejoicing, enduring, and praying!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 10 (12/10) is Romans 12:10

    “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love,
    in honor giving preference to one another.” – Romans 12:10
    The CHRISTIAN’S TREATMENT of OTHERS

    Getting saved brings about TWO new relationships.  The first new relationship is with God, and He is now our FATHER!  We are no longer aliens to God but adopted children in the family of God.  Being in the FAMILY of God brings about a new relationship with people, with the OTHERS of this world. We have a new vertical relationship with God whereby He is our Father, and we have a new horizontal relationship with people who are saved as they are our BROTHERS AND SISTERS. 

    Romans 12 is now addressing this new horizontal relationship.  Romans 12:4-8 taught how we use our spiritual gifts to edify each other.  Moving into verses 9-10 we are to genuinely love one another, being kindly affectionate to one another.  The idea of kindly affection speaks of being DEVOTED to another.  It means being there when they need you.  An example would be Ruth being there for Naomi.  

    The apostle Paul now moves us to a new level of LIVING as we are to HONOR others ABOVE ourselves. We are to GIVE PREFERENCE to others!  Others BEFORE us and others ABOVE us!  This new level of treatment means we don’t just treat people like we want to be treated but rather we treat them BETTER than we want to be treated!  

    Do you treat OTHERS better than you treat yourself?  

    BTW – The version of the International Standard says, “Be devoted to each other with mutual affection. Excel at showing respect for each other.”  What a different world we would have if we EXCELLED at RESPECTING one another!!! 

    Verse to DATE the Word on December 10 (12/10) is Romans 12:10. It says, “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;”

    Selfish people think only of themselves. Saved people think of OTHERS.  As believers, we think of others before we think of ourselves and we place others above ourselves!

    Continue Strong honoring your brothers and sisters,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 2 (12/2) is Romans 12:2

    “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed 
    by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is
    that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” – Romans 12:2
    GETTING the WORD IN and KEEP the WORLD OUT

    As the Apostle Paul moves from doctrinal teaching to practical teaching he calls for in Romans 12:1 a PRESENTATION of one life to Lord. With the presentation, there will be DEDICATION of oneself to the Lord, as the believer is a living sacrifice and will live holy and acceptable to the Lord.

    In order to live holy and acceptable there will need to be a major change, a TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE, whereby our mind thinks differently.  The “world” is a system that does not regard God’s authority.  It has no desire to do the will of God.  The world wants a person to have it their way, doing whatever feels good and doing what brings immediate gratification.  The world system seeks to conform us to its image. The Apostle Paul says that is not to happen writing emphatically “DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD.”  

    Choosing to not be conformed to this world is not easy UNLESS one understands the positive that the Apostle Paul gives by teaching that one can BE TRANSFORMED by renewing the mind.  Instead of letting the WORLD’s ideas in our minds, we RENEW our minds by PUTTING the WORD’s instructions in our minds.   We are able to GET THE WORLD OUT by PUTTING THE WORD IN. 

    Notice I used the word “PUTTING in the Word” to renew one’s mind as one must be intentional!  It takes discipline.  Recall from Psalms 119:9 that asked, “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.”  To help heed God’s Word one then needs to HIDE God’s Word so one can draw on it when facing temptations!  Psalm 119:11 says, “Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You!”  This is the PUTTING in the WORD.  

    As God’s Word goes in and one applies the Word you have TRANSFORMATION! And with transformation one now WANTS TO KNOW and DO what God’s will is for their life.  

    As you consider Romans 12:2 may I ask the question of how have you CHANGED since becoming a believer?  How have you CHANGED, LATELY?  The transformed life will have you BECOMING more like CHRIST and less like the world and, listen, less like you.  In other words, you are CHANGING.  Just as a caterpillar is changed, and transformed to a butterfly we are transformed to be more like Christ.

    Or are you intentionally PUTTING, HIDING God’s Word in your heart in order to renew your mind so you have a mind that wants to do the will of God?   

    The verse to DATE the Word on December 2 (12/2) is Romans 12:2.  It says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

    Getting the WORLD OUT means PUTTING God’s WORD IN!!  WORD IN!  WORLD OUT!!

    Continue Strong intentionally putting God’s WORD in which brings about a transformed life!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 1 (12/1) is Romans 12:1

    “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
    that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God,
    which is your reasonable service.” – Romans 12:1
    A REASONABLE PRESENTATION 

    Romans is the first book that is called the Epistles of Paul.  Following the 4 Gospels that tell of the life and times of Jesus Christ, we have the book of Acts which tells the birth of the Church. This new church with new believers needs to know WHAT THEY BELIEVE and HOW TO BEHAVE.  The book of Romans is known primarily as a DOCTRINAL book that tells what we believe, especially about our great salvation.  However, it also gives a significant amount of teaching on how to behave as a believer. The transitional verse for moving from the great doctrines to practical living is Romans 12:1.  The word that sets the transition up is “THEREFORE.”  I was taught, and maybe you were as well, that when you read the word “therefore” you ask what is before the therefore?”  

    As a quick reminder, what is before the “therefore” of Romans 12:1 is the teaching that the just lives by faith. (Romans 1:17).  One then learns of CONDEMNATION and of JUSTIFICATION and of SANCTIFICATION.   

    With a quick review of what has happened to us as believers the Apostle Paul APPEALS to us to now live ACCEPTABLE lives to God.  To live acceptably to God is first to make a PRESENTATION of oneself as a living sacrifice.   A sacrifice in the Old Testament was something that was dedicated to the Lord.  The believer is now presenting themselves as a dedicated vessel to the Lord. A believer GIVES themselves totally to the Lord.  This dedication of oneself impacts our behavior as the believer is going to live a holy life.  Whereas the unbeliever lived in and for sin, the believer is now living for holiness and righteousness.   The presentation brings about a huge transformation.   From sinful living, the believer is now living a sanctified holy life.  

    How have you responded to the appeal of Romans 12:1?  Have you PRESENTED yourself to God as a vessel, a dedicated vessel to live a holy life, to live for Him?  

    On a personal note I wrote a mission statement for my life from Romans 12:1 that goes, “Lord, I want to be a clean, holy, vessel in Your hand to be used to impact the world for Your glory.” 

    Maybe today you need to interact with Romans 12:1 and write out a personal commitment to the Lord.  Based on all that God has done for you, showing you His mercies, respond to the appeal to make a PRESENTATION of yourself to the Lord!

    The verse to DATE the Word on December 1 (12/1) is Romans 12:1. It says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”

    A great present for the Lord is to present yourself as a present to the Lord.

    Continue Strong as HIS HOLY VESSEL for His USE,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on October 15 (10/15) is Romans 10:15

    “And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How
    beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
    Who bring glad tidings of good things!” – Romans 10:15
    The Beautiful Message and the Messenger

    In Romans 10:15 we have a commentary on the MESSAGE and the MESSENGER in which both are greatly complimented.   The MESSAGE is so beautiful for it is the gospel of PEACE. The MESSENGER has beautiful feet as they preach or PROCLAIM this beautiful message of GLAD TIDINGS of GOOD THINGS.  

    The MESSAGE of the MESSENGER is far more important than the messenger.  This message the messenger brings changes EVERYTHING for a person as it changes the STATUS of a person with God in which the person who was at war with God now has PEACE with God.  As sinners, we are against God and are enemies of God.  But through believing the gospel, we are saved and now have PEACE WITH GOD.  What a huge change!!  No wonder it is called GLAD TIDINGS of GOOD THINGS.  

    I suspect some of you are reading that phrase and you are wondering where you have heard this before.  You might recall that it is part of the Christmas story. Remember Luke 2:10, “Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.”  What was the good tidings of great joy to all people?  Luke 2:11 gives the answer. “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”  

    What a MESSAGE we have received. Having received it we have the responsibility to be MESSENGERS to the world.  We get to let all the people of the world know they can have peace with God! We get to let them know they can be reconciled to God.  No wonder one might say the messenger has “beautiful feet!”   Now the idea is not literal that a preacher – a messenger – has attractive feet, but rather that the reference to feet is that the FEET brought the messenger with the MESSAGE!  We who proclaim the gospel to the lost world are viewed as having beautiful feet because we bring the most beautiful message any human could ever hear!

    Are people around you seeing you as someone with “beautiful feet” because you are bringing to them the most beautiful message that they can have PEACE WITH GOD? Are you a faithful messenger with the MESSAGE?   You are after all SENT!

    Verse to DATE the Word on October 15 (10/15) is Romans 10:15.  It says, “And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

    Let it be said of you that you have beautiful feet because you were faithful in proclaiming the beautiful message of the gospel!

    Continue Strong for the Lord bringing the gospel to the world!  
    And remember to DATE the WORD!

  • Verse to DATE the Word on October 1 (10/1) is Romans 10:1

    “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is
    that they may be saved.” – Romans 10:1
    A MOST WANTED LIST 

    One cannot help but feel the PASSION the Apostle Paul has here in Romans 10:1 for the people of Israel to be saved.  Saying he wants to see people saved is not a cliche for Paul.  His heart longs for the lost to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. This desire has action with the first action being he prays for the lost to be saved.  

    When I look at Romans 10:1 and see how Paul wanted to see Israel to be saved it makes me think of creating a MOST WANTED LIST of people that need to hear the gospel.  Most likely have heard of a MOST WANTED LIST.  It is a term used by the FBI to catch the most dangerous criminals.  We should have a MOST WANTED LIST for those who are LOST and need Jesus. 

    Who is on your MOST WANTED LIST? Who are the lost people that you want to be found? Who is spiritually blind but you want them to see? Who is spiritually dead that you want to be spiritually alive? 

    Taking action with today’s devotion I would like you to pause and create your most wanted list.  Write or type out Romans 10:1 on a sheet of paper and put a blank where the word Israel is and then write in the blank who you would so love to see saved.   Ex. Romans 10:1 says, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for _____________ is that they may be saved.” 

    Who is the family member, the friend, the co-worker or team associate,  the neighbor, etc., you so desire to see saved?   Write their names down and then start praying for them to have someone share the gospel with them. (That person just might be you.)  Pray their eyeswould be open to the glorious gospel message. And then look for opportunities to witness to them!

    Our verse to DATE the Word on October 1 (10/1) is Romans 10:1.  It says, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.” 

    Now for the very serious questions:  Does your heart break for lost souls to be saved?
    Are you praying for the lost to be saved?  Are you witnessing?

    Continue Strong with a broken heart for souls to be saved!
    And remember to DATE the Word!

    PS.  Proverbs 11:30 says, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.

  • Verse to DATE the Word on September 3 (9/3) is Romans 9:3

    “For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my
    brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh,” – Romans 9:3
    THE DEEPEST of  DESIRES for the Lost to be Saved

    Many years ago I was in my freshman year at The Criswell Bible College in Dallas Texas and one of the required classes for all new students was Evangelism with Dr. Paige Patterson, who was the President of the College.  Dr. Patterson was a huge believer in the memorization of Scripture and so we were to memorize 7 verses a week.  Yes, 7 verses a week or 1 verse a day!  The verses he assigned us to memorize were tied to evangelism and Romans 9:1-3 were one of the first of the assigned verses.   

    Romans 9:1-3 tells of the Apostle Paul’s heart for his fellow Israelites to be saved.  He writes, “I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2  that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. 3  For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh,”

    One needs to pause to ponder what one just read as it is very sobering to think the Apostle Paul wanted to see other Jews saved so badly that he himself wished he could go to hell rather than them.  

    Dr. Patterson did not just give us verses to memorize but he taught the meaning of the verses.  I can still hear him asking from Romans 9:1-3 how much did we really want to see family and friends, neighbors and even strangers, come to know the Lord. There was a silence in the room that day as we paused to consider how badly the Apostle Paul wanted to see fellow countrymen be saved as he said he wished he could be accursed so they could be saved.  

    Accursed means to go to hell.  It means to be cut off.   The ESV says, “For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.”
    The Message reads “If there were any way I could be cursed by the Messiah so they could be blessed by him, I’d do it in a minute. They’re my family.”

    Now we know that what Paul wished cannot happen but what a heart for the lost. 

    Are you brokenhearted over a lost family member, friend, neighbor, associate, and/or stranger that you would rather go to hell so they could go to heaven?  Is your heart filled with sorrow and grief that the lost are lost and headed to an eternity in hell?

    Two more questions.  Are you WEEPING for a lost person to be saved? Are you WITNESSING to a lost person to be saved? 

    Verse to DATE the Word on September 3 (9/3) is Romans 9:3. It says, “For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh,”

    May our hearts be as broken for the lost as the Apostle Paul’s heart was.  May our hearts be as broken as the Lord Jesus for the lost as He did come to seek and to save the lost.  

    Continue strong with a broken heart for the lost.   
    And remember to Date the Word.